How to Supervise Younger People at Work

Supervising younger people at work can be a real challenge, especially if you empathize with their inexperience and desire to have fun. On the other hand, it’s your responsibility to make sure the work gets done. Here’s how to supervise younger people at work without feeling like a stick in the mud.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A sense of fun
• Employee handbook to define job duties
• Clear understanding of company disciplinary procedures

1. Let yourself have some fun. If your younger coworkers take long lunches, go with them on a slow day. If they have a paper clip toss game, learn it and kick their butts. The best part about supervising younger people at work is that they can help you tap into your younger self. It’s a nice break from the constant stress of the daily grind.
2. Plan some fun yourself. Be a cool boss and organize a holiday party or a “dress like a beach bum” Friday. Why not? Your younger and older team members will appreciate your ability to show them a good time.
3. Be very clear about when it’s important to be serious. Fitting in and having fun are one thing, but you’re still the boss. It’s important when you supervise younger people to draw boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable behavior at work.
4. Make sure the younger people on your team have a clear definition of what their job responsibilities are. That way, they know exactly what they are responsible for doing on a daily basis, and any levity needs to be fit in around job duties.
5. For anyone who doesn’t respect your authority, take disciplinary action consistent with company policy. Don’t make excuses for some of the people you supervise just because they’re younger.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t try to act younger than your age to fit in with the younger people you supervise. If it’s not your music or your slang, you’ll sound ridiculous if you try to fake it.

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